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Not all traumatic injuries involve visible bruises or scrapes. Likewise, not all muscle strain injuries develop slowly, whether through hours of athletic training or years of manual work. One of the most common traumatic injuries is invisible and takes just a few seconds to occur. It is whiplash injury, a muscle strain injury affecting the neck and upper back. It is very common in car accidents and, while it is often minor and temporary, can sometimes cause chronic pain. If you have suffered whiplash injury as a result of a car accident, contact a Pensacola car accident lawyer.
Why Is It Called Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash injury happens when a person’s upper body is pushed suddenly forward and then backward. It gets its name because the movement of the spine, in this case, resembles a whip being cracked.
What Causes Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash injury most often happens when there is a sudden impact, such as when a car gets rear-ended. It usually is a more severe injury for passengers sitting in the back seat and passengers without seat belts. It can also happen when people fall or get knocked down in sports, such as football, surfing, or skiing.
What are the Symptoms of Whiplash Injury?
The symptoms of whiplash injury are a pain, soreness, and stiffness in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. The symptoms usually do not begin immediately after the accident; it often takes a few days for them to appear. Therefore, it is important to be examined at a hospital or doctor’s office immediately after a car accident. You might have whiplash injury even if you cannot feel it yet.
What Is the Treatment for Whiplash Injury?
Treatment for whiplash injury is mostly centered on allowing the affected muscle to heal. Doctors often encourage patients to continue their normal activities, because the limiting movement of the affected muscles may make the stiffness even worse. In severe cases, doctors sometimes prescribe muscle relaxants for patients to take for a few days after the accident. After that, patients with severe whiplash may need physical therapy to regain normal function of the affected muscles.
In a Lawsuit, How Can You Prove That You Have Whiplash Injury from a Car Accident?
As with presenting evidence of any kind of lawsuit, documentation is key. Show your medical records from before the accident to demonstrate that you did not have a history of neck and back pain and have not had previous injuries that could cause it. After the accident, keep a journal documenting your pain and how much time and money it costs you to manage your injuries.
Contact the Stevenson Klotz Law Firm About Car Accident Cases
Whether you have whiplash injury or any other type of injury, visible or invisible, as a result of a car accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation. Contact the Stevenson Klotz in Pensacola, Florida to discuss your case and to see whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.